Cochrane interchange

Overview

Cochrane is expected to grow significantly, making an interchange the best option to accommodate travel in this area well into the future.

The intersection at Highway 1A and Highway 22 sees an average of more than 29,000 vehicles a day. These numbers are also expected to increase significantly over the coming years.

Separate from this work, the Town of Cochrane has begun widening a section of Highway 1A through the town. Town construction is expected to be completed in fall of 2023. Learn more about Cochrane’s Traffic Plan.

Project details

Construction on this project is anticipated to begin in 2023 and take about 3 years to complete:

• Expanding Highway 1A from two to four lanes (2 lanes in each direction) from just west of Highway 22 to 6th Avenue (east of Big Hill Creek).
• Two new bridges on Highway 1A over Big Hill Creek (existing bridge will be removed)
• Replacing the Highway 22 CP Rail overpass over Highway 1A with a new larger overpass structure
• New interchange ramps and roundabouts connecting highways 1A and 22 as part of the interchange.
• Interchange project has been extended eastward on Highway 1A so that it ties into Town of Cochrane’s Highway 1A Improvement project.
• The interchange project has also been expanded northward on Highway 22 just beyond the Sunset Blvd intersection.

See the Cochrane Interchange project plan (PDF, 2.5 MB)

Interchange design

The interchange will be based on a partial cloverleaf design to make best use of the area’s geography, while also accommodating future upgrades. This approach will help ensure the interchange can effectively accommodate:

• population changes in the area
• traffic growth
• transportation corridor use

The partial cloverleaf design will meet growing traffic volumes now and in the future and provide more efficient traffic flows in the Town of Cochrane and the surrounding area, while minimizing the footprint of the interchange and cost of overpass structures.

Several considerations were addressed in determining the configuration of this interchange:

• accommodating proximity of the highways to the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks
• limiting impacts upon adjacent lands (Cochrane Ranche, the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society site, and historical and environmental considerations)
• limiting impacts to Big Hill Creek
• accommodating existing and future major oil and gas pipelines
• accommodating existing and projected future traffic volumes
• minimizing land acquisition, noise and visual impacts to adjacent homes and businesses

Environmental impact

An Environmental Evaluation has been completed for the project reviewing existing conditions, potential impacts and mitigation measures for all key Valued Ecosystem Components (that is, soils, vegetation, wildlife, fisheries, noise, historical and cultural resources and First Nations consultation).

All required environmental permits and approvals will be in place before construction starts.

Pedestrian and cycling access

In consultation with the Town of Cochrane, Highway 1A is being designed to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists with multi-use pathways. Current details related to pathways are shown on the interchange plan.

Land and agreements

Land has been secured to build the interchange.

A new crossing agreement is being drafted with CP Rail related to the construction, operation and maintenance of the new interchange bridge over the CP tracks.

Coordination is occurring with affected utilities / pipelines (Town of Cochrane, Fortis, Telus, Shaw, Axia, ATCO Gas, Caledonian Midstream, Pembina and TC Energy).

Timelines

• Construction of bulk earthworks started in fall 2021.
• The tender was issued in December 2022.
• Construction is expected to begin in spring 2023 and will take about 3 years to complete.
• A contractor will be hired once third-party agreements are in place.

Benefits

This project will support economic development in Alberta by improving access to this area, allowing efficient movement of goods and people, in particular larger truck traffic, through Cochrane to access Highway 1 to the south and the Highway 22 corridor to the north. The new interchange will also:

• expand the capacity of both highways
• enhance safety
• accommodate future growth

Contact

For more information on the Cochrane interchange, contact the Southern Region Office:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 403-381-5426
Toll free: dial 310-0000 before the number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Southern Region Office
3rd Floor, Administration Building
909 3 Avenue North
Lethbridge, Alberta  T1H 0H5
Open in Google Maps for directions